I had the chance to cross paths with Ben out in the "real world" a couple of times. There isn't a more genuine guy out there to be sure. Unfortunately, I knew this was pretty much a foregone conclusion. The depth chart did not favor him, and that is a good problem for the Penguins to have.

I will definitely continue to follow him as he plays in Anaheim. I wish there were more athletes out there who approached playing in a professional league the way he does (yes, there are others out there, but there could always be more).

About 30% of 5th round picks ever play 1 game in the NHL.About 15% of 5th round picks accrue at least 100 NHL games.

So, basically, there's roughly a 70% chance the Ducks "win" this trade in the long run, a 15% chance it's a push, and a 15% chance the Pens win it. But if the Pens draft well and hit that last 15%, they could "win" by a lot; a handful of really good players have come out of the later rounds of the draft. The Ducks can only possibly "win" by one solid 7th defenseman, unless Lovejoy really exceeds expectations there.

My initial thought was that Lovejoy's value is more than a 5th rounder, but after looking at these I think it's probably pretty fair for him.

If you look at it purely as what Lovejoy does in relation to what the pick does, you're right, the odds are against the Penguins.

2. This pick may be traded. Let's say Shero trades this 5th round pick along with another pick or player and receives a quality return. The pick might actually have more value at the trade deadline to a regouping team than would a 29-year-old player with fewer than 100 games.

The way I look at the trade is that the Penguins turned an extra into an asset. Maybe they use the asset as is and draft a player -- maybe they trade the asset alone or as part of a package to improve the team. Either way, Shero turned a non-used player into something that can and will be used.

About 30% of 5th round picks ever play 1 game in the NHL.About 15% of 5th round picks accrue at least 100 NHL games.

So, basically, there's roughly a 70% chance the Ducks "win" this trade in the long run, a 15% chance it's a push, and a 15% chance the Pens win it. But if the Pens draft well and hit that last 15%, they could "win" by a lot; a handful of really good players have come out of the later rounds of the draft. The Ducks can only possibly "win" by one solid 7th defenseman, unless Lovejoy really exceeds expectations there.

My initial thought was that Lovejoy's value is more than a 5th rounder, but after looking at these I think it's probably pretty fair for him.

If you look at it purely as what Lovejoy does in relation to what the pick does, you're right, the odds are against the Penguins.

2. This pick may be traded. Let's say Shero trades this 5th round pick along with another pick or player and receives a quality return. The pick might actually have more value at the trade deadline to a regouping team than would a 29-year-old player with fewer than 100 games.

The way I look at the trade is that the Penguins turned an extra into an asset. Maybe they use the asset as is and draft a player -- maybe they trade the asset alone or as part of a package to improve the team. Either way, Shero turned a non-used player into something that can and will be used.

JeffDFD wrote:I think they have made up their mind on Tangradi, though

I don't know that they have. If so, why isn't he "on the block" or waived? I think they have an idea of where this is going, as we all do, but my guess is his door in Pittsburgh isn't fully closed at this point. That said, when Niskanen returns someone will have to go: Reese (if he isn't already back in the AHL) or Tangradi.

JeffDFD wrote:I think they have made up their mind on Tangradi, though

I don't know that they have. If so, why isn't he "on the block" or waived? I think they have an idea of where this is going, as we all do, but my guess is his door in Pittsburgh isn't fully closed at this point. That said, when Niskanen returns someone will have to go: Reese (if he isn't already back in the AHL) or Tangradi.

JeffDFD wrote:I think they have made up their mind on Tangradi, though

I don't know that they have. If so, why isn't he "on the block" or waived? I think they have an idea of where this is going, as we all do, but my guess is his door in Pittsburgh isn't fully closed at this point. That said, when Niskanen returns someone will have to go: Reese (if he isn't already back in the AHL) or Tangradi.

JeffDFD wrote:I think they have made up their mind on Tangradi, though

I don't know that they have. If so, why isn't he "on the block" or waived? I think they have an idea of where this is going, as we all do, but my guess is his door in Pittsburgh isn't fully closed at this point. That said, when Niskanen returns someone will have to go: Reese (if he isn't already back in the AHL) or Tangradi.

How do you know he's not on the block?

Good point. Come to think of it, most players Shero has traded weren't rumored to be on the block. He might well be shopping him as we speak.